When W.i.S.H. debuted in 2023 with their single Lazeez, they weren’t just introducing a new sound—they were reviving a long-dormant idea in Indian music: the first girl group. In the years since, Ri, Sim, Suchi, and Zo have built themselves into one of the country’s most exciting pop acts, balancing bold individuality with a strong sense of sisterhood.
From high-profile partnerships with Adidas, Maybelline, and the ICC T20 World Cup to viral hits like Bolo Bolo, W.i.S.H. has become more than a music act. They’re a lifestyle brand, a cultural statement, and a force pushing Indian pop toward a global stage. With their latest single Bolo Bolo featuring rapper Panther and a debut album in the works, the band is carving out a new chapter for pop in India.
In this conversation, W.i.S.H. open up about their sound, creative process, partnerships, and the responsibility of being India’s first girl group in 23 years.
W.i.S.H. isn’t just a group name, it’s an identity. How would you define the band’s sound and ethos today?
Ri: The name W.i.S.H. really is an identity for us. The group was started with one dream—to make a difference and put Indian pop music on the world map. The four of us have our own flavours of bold individuality but are unified by our love for pop music, singing, and dancing. Sisterhood is at the core of our ethos. Our sound today is vibrant, emotionally honest, and unapologetically rooted in who we are as Indian girls navigating a modern world. It’s playful, powerful, and ever evolving.
How has your creative dynamic evolved since your debut? Do you all bring different musical influences to the table?
Sim: We love to explore different genres in the music we create. Experimenting with new styles and rhythm is something we love to do a lot. Individually we also have different musical tastes. For example, Suchi loves Afrobeats, so she will always bring in something she’s explored from that genre.
Your debut single was a major moment. How did your new single Bolo Bolo come together, and what can fans expect from this collaboration with Panther?
Suchi: Bolo Bolo was birthed after discussing on multiple occasions our love for Afrobeats. We had really been wanting to release a song that’s a fusion of Afro and Desi music—something fun that people could dance to at the club. We had the most amazing team working on this one. This is one of the biggest cross-genre collaborations we’ve done, bringing together Desi Hip-Hop and Indian Pop. Having Panther on board was the perfect puzzle piece that really elevated the song!
What’s the one thing you always try to bring into the studio when recording a track?
Ri: We always try to bring a fresh mind into the studio—no baggage, no rigid ideas of what the song has to be. Walking in with a clean slate keeps the process open and exciting. It lets the music flow naturally instead of forcing it into a box.
W.i.S.H. has become a rare example of a music group that’s also a strong lifestyle brand. How do you approach partnerships whether it’s with Adidas, Maybelline, or the ICC T20 World Cup?
Zo: The way we approach partnerships is honestly with authenticity! We believe that we need to be authentically us—bubbly, carefree, energetic, chaotic, and so much more. All the brands we’ve worked with so far feel like us. We’re able to embrace our uniqueness, quirks, our friendships and sisterhood within the group mixed in with a whole lot of fun, and that’s how we want to continue moving forward.
How involved are you in the branding and strategy around W.i.S.H.—from merch to visuals to social presence?
Zo: It might come off as a surprise to everyone, but we’re involved in EVERYTHING! We all have our own strengths and experience through our years building ourselves as brands and artists before W.i.S.H., and it’s great that our company recognises that and allows us to be a part of the decision making. We’re fully in charge of our social media content, with the help of Sony on music marketing and content growth strategy. Mikey himself has strong, eye-catching ideas for our visuals and MV concepts—we discuss everything for hours to achieve the best outcome. We designed our own merch, from picking colours and fabrics to incorporating our personal style. We style ourselves most of the time and have the most fun doing it. It does get hectic, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
What has been the most surreal “we’ve made it” moment for W.i.S.H. so far?
Sim: We’ve had the most amazing support from our fans ever since we debuted with Lazeez. They’ve showered us with so much love by making fan pages and edits. We’ve had so many highlights in the last year—whether it was performing at YouTube Fan Fest with Sunidhi Chauhan, releasing the official anthem for the ICC T20 Women’s Cricket World Cup, or becoming long-term collaborators with Maybelline. But the most viral moment for us was when we released our recreation of the 90s disco song Boom Boom, through which we got recognition from a wider audience.
As an all-girl pop band in India, do you feel a sense of responsibility to represent or push a new narrative in music?
Zo: Our goal as the first girl group in India after 23 years is to pave the way for commercial Indian pop music. We want the girl group and boy band culture to come back and take Indian pop music global! It is our responsibility and the job we signed up for since we’re the first to fill the gap in that market.
You’ve had a string of successful singles. What stage of the process are you in with your next album, and what can fans expect sonically or thematically?
Suchi: We’ve added three songs to the album that are fairly distinct to each other—different vibes, super flavourful, giving different energies. It’s perfect for the fans and our listening audience to understand and enjoy the diversity existing in these songs.
As you shape your debut album, how are you balancing commercial pop appeal with personal storytelling? Are there specific sounds, genres, or collaborators you’re excited to explore?
Ri: The four of us have grown up in the same era of music and have a lot of similar influences. We’ve grown up on Disney and are pop girlies through and through. But being in a group does come with the challenge of weaving in four unique perspectives. That said, it’s also our biggest strength. There are so many moments in the studio where our different influences—like Suchi’s love for Afrobeats, Zo’s Soul and RnB background, and mine and Sim’s connection to Hindustani music—come together to become something truly unique. One thing’s for sure: we believe in the power that love holds and love singing about that.
